Florida’s Attorney General James Uthmeier has opened a formal investigation into OpenAI, citing national security risks and public safety concerns. The Verge AI reports that Uthmeier raised alarms about OpenAI’s data and technology potentially “falling into the hands of America’s enemies, such as the Chinese Communist Party.”
This isn’t just political posturing. Subpoenas are coming.
What triggered the investigation
Uthmeier’s statement hits on multiple fronts:
- National security: concerns that OpenAI’s technology could end up with foreign adversaries, specifically China
- Child safety: allegations that ChatGPT has been “linked to criminal behavior” involving child sexual abuse material
- Self-harm: claims the platform has “encouraged” self-harm in users
- The FSU shooting connection: Uthmeier says ChatGPT may have been used to “assist” the suspect behind a shooting at Florida State University in April 2025
That last point just got heavier. This week, the family of a man killed in the FSU shooting filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, accusing the suspect of being in “constant communication with ChatGPT” before the attack, according to The Verge AI.
Why this matters right now
The timing is brutal for OpenAI. The company is preparing for an initial public offering this year, and every new regulatory headache chips away at the narrative investors want to hear. A state-level investigation from Florida adds to a growing pile of scrutiny.
OpenAI is already dealing with federal pressure. Last October, the FTC ordered OpenAI and other tech companies to hand over information about how they assess the effects of their chatbots on children. Now a state AG is opening a separate front.
“AI should exist to supplement, support, and advance mankind, not lead to an existential crisis or our ultimate demise,” Uthmeier said. Strong words, and the kind of language that signals this investigation won’t be quiet or quick.
The bigger picture
State attorneys general have become some of the most aggressive regulators of Big Tech in the US. While federal AI legislation moves slowly, state-level action can create real compliance headaches and set legal precedents.
Florida’s investigation touches on two of the hottest pressure points in AI right now: child safety and national security. Both have bipartisan support, which means OpenAI can’t easily dismiss this as partisan overreach.
The national security angle is particularly interesting. Concerns about Chinese access to advanced AI models have been circulating in Washington for months, but a state investigation takes the conversation in a new direction. It’s one thing for Congress to hold hearings. It’s another when a state AG starts issuing subpoenas.
For the broader AI industry, this is a signal. If you’re building consumer-facing AI products, safety guardrails aren’t optional, and regulators at every level are watching. OpenAI is the biggest target, but the precedent set here could affect every company in the space.
More details are available in the original report from The Verge AI.